Cullen tells lively rally Enbridge pipeline should not be allowed to proceed

Too much risk for too little local benefit, a dismal track record of spills and broken promises, strong First Nations’ opposition and a flawed and biased review process are all reasons why the Enbridge pipeline should not proceed, MP Nathan Cullen told a lively crowd of over 250 at a rally here today.

“Enbridge is looking to put our entire way of life at risk to boost its own corporate profits,” Cullen said. “Weak promises of a handful of jobs aren’t convincing Northerners to allow a company with a dirty track record to pollute our rivers.”

Cullen said Enbridge is out of touch with the sustainable economic development demanded by local residents. “Northerners believe in a future in which we can balance protecting our environment and growing our economy. We will not accept projects that just enrich big oil companies at the expense of our precious lands, natural resources, and future generations.”

“The Enbridge plan would bring new and unnecessary risks to our coasts, our rivers and our $140 million wild salmon economy. It will also spur a massive increase in the destruction caused by Alberta tar sands production,” Cullen said. He noted the Enbridge pipeline spill in Michigan last month that spewed over three million litres of oil into the Kalamazoo River, in addition to the many dozens of spills Enbridge records each year.

Speaker after speaker took to the microphone at today’s rally that was organized by several prominent First Nations and environmental groups to oppose Enbridge’s proposed Northern Gateway project that would see dual crude oil and condensate pipelines snaking across 1,170 kilometres of challenging and sensitive terrain. The rally coincides with Joint Review Panel hearings, mandated by the National Energy Board, in Kitimat seeking public input into specific issues related to the Enbridge application and hearing process.

An Angus Reid poll of 804 adults released yesterday and conducted last week shows that less than one third of people in northern BC support the Enbridge pipeline while a majority have serious concerns about the project’s environmental risks.